In the serene depths of winter, where the landscape is often draped in a snowy silence, one might not expect to witness the delicate dance of insects on the wing. However, for those who take a stroll through the woods in the midst of sub-zero temperatures, an intriguing surprise awaits: the Winter Crane Fly. This fragile yet resilient insect defies the winter chill, gracefully taking flight when other insects lie dormant. Encountering Winter Crane Flies: Despite their name, which implies an adaptation to winter life, Winter Crane Flies, similar in appearance to mosquitoes, manage to navigate the cold with remarkable finesse. The author of this article shares their frequent encounters with these tiny creatures during daily walks through snow-covered landscapes. These insects not only survive in the harsh winter environment but thrive, showcasing an impressive ability to adapt to sub-zero temperatures. The Filming Journey: In response to these unexpected encounters, the author decides to document the intriguing lives of Winter Crane Flies through video footage. The delicate insects offer both challenges and opportunities for the filmmaker. Their flights close to the snow provide captivating scenes, but when they ascend higher into the forest canopy, tracking their small bodies becomes a challenging task. Nevertheless, the resulting video captures the essence of Winter Crane Fly behavior in the winter wonderland. Comparison with Winter Moths: The filmmaker also highlights the presence of another winter flier—the Winter Moth. While both insects share the winter stage, the Winter Crane Fly's resilience outshines that of its counterpart. Winter Moths, despite their cold-weather appearances, tend to withdraw as temperatures plummet to extreme lows. The contrast between the two species becomes evident through the filmmaker's observations, revealing Winter Crane Flies as enduring symbols of winter vitality. Differences and Threats: The video not only showcases the beauty of Winter Crane Flies but also draws attention to the differences between them and Winter Moths. Importantly, the article emphasizes that Winter Crane Flies pose no threats to humans or crops, debunking potential misconceptions that might arise due to their resemblance to mosquitoes. On the other hand, the Winter Moth, especially in its larvae form, can inflict significant damage on fruit trees in orchards and various hardwood trees in forests, making it a potential threat to livelihoods. Conclusion: The Winter Crane Fly, with its delicate frame and remarkable resilience, emerges as a captivating subject in the midst of winter's cold embrace. Through the lens of the filmmaker, viewers gain a unique perspective on these seemingly fragile insects that defy expectations and bring a touch of life to the snowy landscapes. As the Winter Crane Flies gracefully navigate the winter air, their silent presence becomes a testament to nature's ability to adapt and thrive even in the harshest conditions. 00:00 Disclaimer 00:11 Winter Crane Fly on Half a Meter of Snow 00:35 First Encountered Winter Crane Fly Disappears in Overturned Tree 01:16 Winter Crane Fly Beside Deer Poop 01:43 Winter Moth (Operophtera Brumata) 02:48 Resilient Winter Crane Fly 03:22 Frontal View of Winter Crane Fly 04:40 Saying Byes to Winter Crane Flies

As seen in a previous video, I have already moved the trail camera at the lower scratchpost, but that proved insufficient. The trail cam’s field of view is simply too narrow even for the more distant tree. I was contemplating putting the trail cam on the auxiliary scratchpost, but for one, that would have been too risky as boars often bite into trees they use as scratchposts and could damage the strap or even the camera, and I could not wrap the strap around that tree because it’s not long enough. So I ended up putting it on a more distant as well as a slimmer tree, where I was able to attach the camera without issues, but the tree is sloped which also sloped the camera. However, it seems to record OK nonetheless. The compilation of trail cam videos is at the end. Both before the move and after the move videos are included. Only wild boars (Sus Scrofa) showed up to use the scratchpost, but after the move, the footage is definitely better, as most of the time, all of the animal is in the frame (as opposed to just parts of it). Overall, I think the footage is better after the move so I’m thinking of leaving the camera there. The lone boar, with whom I have had multiple encounters, is the most frequent visitor to the lower scratchpost. I’m happy to see that he looks healthy, is uninjured and well fed. Despite being alone, unlike other wild boars who live in fair sized groups, he seems to thrive in the woods. The instrumental music used for the game cam footage compilation is my own guitar solo. It was partially inspired by a Slovakian band Tublatanka and a German band Destruction. The rest is my original composition. The music was performed and recorded live before a live audience. There is no studio recording of this musical piece. This was the first video I recorded using a wide angle GoPro camera in the forest. 00:00 Approaching the lower scratchpost 00:37 Near tree is too close 00:49 European Larch trees 01:29 Leaning tree used as camera holder 03:00 Twigs in the way of trail camera 05:55 Crying tree 06:53 Trail cam footage Keep rocking :o) Mark https://www.nophoneman.com/